[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 820 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
October 7 (legislative day, October 6), 2004.
Whereas the Ansari X Prize competition was created to promote the emerging
commercial space transportation industry and inspire a new generation of
explorers by accelerating the development of low-cost space launch
vehicles for space exploration, tourism, science, and commerce;
Whereas the X Prize Foundation, headed by space entrepreneur Dr. Peter
Diamandis, offered a $10,000,000 prize to the first contestant to
privately finance, develop, and launch a spaceship capable of carrying 3
people to 100 kilometers (62.5 miles) above the Earth, returning safely
to Earth, and repeating the launch with the same ship within 2 weeks;
Whereas the Ansari X Prize inspired 26 teams from 7 nations to invest their
private funds and personal toil in pursuit of the dream of private space
flight;
Whereas Mojave Aerospace Ventures, led by aviation pioneer Burt Rutan and
software pioneer Paul Allen, designed and developed SpaceShipOne, the
winning entry in the Ansari X Prize competition;
Whereas on June 21, 2004, SpaceShipOne, piloted by Mike Melvill, accomplished
the first privately funded suborbital flight into space in the skies
above Mojave, California;
Whereas on September 29, 2004, SpaceShipOne, once again piloted by Mike Melvill,
successfully completed the first of 2 suborbital flights in pursuit of
the Ansari X Prize competition, flying to an altitude of 337,600 feet
(102.9 km); and
Whereas on October 4, 2004, SpaceShipOne, piloted by Brian Binnie, successfully
completed the second of 2 suborbital flights in pursuit of the Ansari X
Prize less than one week later, flying to an altitude of 368,000 feet
(112.2 km), and thereby winning the Ansari X Prize competition: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates Mojave Aerospace Ventures, led by Burt Rutan and
Paul Allen, for winning the privately funded $10,000,000 Ansari X Prize
and inspiring the next generation of space explorers to even greater
heights;
(2) commends the pilots of SpaceShipOne for their skill and bravery;
and
(3) commends the founders of, contributors to, and management of the
X Prize Foundation for spurring this achievement.
Attest:
Clerk.